Let’s be honest, none of us want to talk about the color of urine. But the color, odor, and other factors like how often you pee are good indications of what might be happening inside the body. Your kidneys make it while filtering toxins from the body. Food, illnesses, and medicines often change the color of urine, which is it is crucial to know what it is trying to tell you!
Occasionally, it changes color. Seeing red or orange-colored pee might alarm anyone. However, there are often simple explanations behind it. But if the color is accompanied by burning sensation or pain while peeing, then you should see a doctor. As distasteful as it may seem to discuss urine, it is often an early indicator of a serious illness.
6 Different Colors Of Urine
Let us take a look at some of the colors and understand what it might mean.
1. Orange
Orange colored pee might be an indication of dehydration. If you are also experiencing light stools, then bile may be the cause behind it all. If there are any issues with the liver or bile ducts, bile may have sneaked into your bloodstream. It may also be a sign of jaundice in adults. If you believe that dehydration is not a likely cause, then it is better to pay a visit to your doctor.
2. Yellow
The urine is usually fine if it is a little yellowish. There is a urochrome pigment that gets diluted when you drink loads of water, which is why your urine appears clear. Urochrome is produced when the body breaks down hemoglobin. Having a ton of vitamin-B in your blood may also cause your urine to appear yellowish.
3. Clear
Clear urine usually means that you are consuming a reasonable amount of water. But you have to be careful not to drink too much. Yes, there is such a thing as drinking too much water! It is better to keep it around the recommended glasses of water in a day. Drinking too much water could flush out electrolytes from your body, which is not good.
4. Blue or Green
No one really expects their urine to be bluish or greenish. But in case it is, it could either be the food coloring or dye used for medical testing. However, in some cases, it could be pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is a kind of bacterial infection that may cause your urine to turn green, blue, or even indigo purple.
5. Dark Brown
Dark brown urine points towards dehydration. But it could also be a side-effect to medicines like Chloroquine and Metronidazole. If you have eaten large amounts of aloe, rhubarb, or fava beans, it could also be the reason for your urine turning brown. Dark urine is often related to liver disease too. So keeping the symptoms and what you ate in mind, you might want to see the doctor.
6. Cloudy
Cloudy urine is one of the signs of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). It may also be cloudy due to kidney problems or some other chronic illness. However, some studies show that it can be indicative of a simple case of dehydration as well. If the cloudy urine is accompanied by bubbles or foam, it might be pneumaturia. It may also be a symptom of severe health issues like diverticulitis or Crohn’s disease. So it is best that you get it checked out professionally.
In most cases, the reason behind the change in your urine color is dehydration or something you ate. It may also be side-effects of a particular medicine. Usually, the urine goes back to its natural color in a matter of two-three days. If that does not happen, you should schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional. Also, make a note of other symptoms, if you have any.
If your urine is dark red or even pink, waste no time and see a doctor at the earliest. Most of us are not aware of what different urine colors indicate, but as we mentioned above, it helps you understand what might be happening inside your body. Being aware helps you take care of your body in the best way possible. It also helps you stay on top of things and notice any changes (like the color of your pee.) Catching these early indications help a lot in getting to the root of the problem and treating it in time.
Also Read: 9 Solid Reasons Behind Smelly Urine?